Holly Valance and Alex Jones bow out of the spotlight in the Strictly Come Dancing semi final

It was double drama this evening as Holly Valance & Artem Chigvintsev and Alex Jones & James Jordan both bow out of the spotlight in the Strictly Come Dancing semi final

The glitterball trophy is in sight, and the pressure was on as the five remaining couples took to the dance floor last night as not one, but two couples faced elimination.

The couples each danced two dazzling routines in a bid for a place in the final. It meant double the jeopardy, and double the drama – as not one but two routines were scored with the first PERFECT 40’s of the series, Chelsee & Pasha’s ‘Pasha Doble’ and Jason & Kristina’s Argentine Tango.

The judges – Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli & Craig Revel Horwood – scores for both performances were combined to make an overall leaderboard. Then these scores were added to the viewer’s votes, and on Sunday’s results show it was revealed that Holly Valance & Artem Chigvintsev and Alex Jones & James Jordan had received the lowest overall scored and had been eliminated from the competition.

Holly commented “I’m just proud that we’ve been part of the most successful Strictly. The British public has been incredible, this is much further than we ever thought we could ever imagine. I think besides working with the most brilliant choreographer I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life, I’ve made beautiful new friends, and I’ll be able to take them with me. The show will end, but all of my new friendships will keep going, so I’m very grateful.”

And her professional partner Artem added “I’m very strict in the rehearsals all the time, and I never really complement my partner as I should more often. I just want to say thank you so much. You have been absolutely terrific. Just thank you.”

And Alex commented “I’ve had an incredible time, and when I’m old and grey I’ll look back at these three months and I’ll think that was a brilliant time. James has been – we’ve laughed 80% of the time, apart from when I get left and right wrong! But no it’s just been fantastic, and to meet all the other 13 contestants and pro dancers and everybody backstage has just been an incredible experience. He [James] has just been able to work miracles, and done it in such a funny way”

And her professional partner James added “If there was a trophy for the most improved dancer, for SURE you would have won that trophy. I would like to say whoever gets to work with you in the future is very, very lucky. You have been absolutely brilliant to work with, it has been an honour. Thank you very much.”

Sunday’s Results show featured performances from Aloe Blacc, singing his hit song I Need A Dollar, and the Military Wives from the Gareth Malone BBC series The Choir singing their Christmas song Wherever You Are.

Of course, this leaves just three couples getting on the bus up to next weeks grand final in Blackpool. Huge congratulations to McFly’s Harry Judd, Waterloo Road’s Chelsee Healey and Jason Donovan.

Next week’s live Grand Final will be broadcast from Blackpool’s World Famous Tower Ballroom in 3D on 3D enabled televisions, on Saturday 17th December 2011 at 7pm with the results show also broadcast live on Saturday 17th December at 9.05pm on BBC One and BBC One HD.